Internal-combustion engine



Feb. 23 1926.

M.l GOLDSMITH INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed' oct. 15, 7 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 23 1926.

M.4 GoLDsMrrH INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Fiied oct. 15, '7 sheets-sheet 2 Mlm (Nro: 1*.

Feb. 23 1926.A

M. GOLDSMITH INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE' Filed Oct. 13, 1921 '7 Sheets-Sheet f5 Feb. 23 1926. 1,574,244

M. GoLDsMITH INTERNAL coMBus'rIoN ENGINE med oct. 1s, 1921 "r sheets-sheet 4 @@LSMTWH INTERNAL GOMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Ooi. 13, 1921 '/Sheecs-Sheet 5 Feb. 23 1926..

Filed oct. 13, 1921 7 Sheets-Shea?l 6 Feb. 23 1926., 1,574,244

M. GOLDSMITH INTERNAL COMBUSTI ON .ENGINE Filed Oct. 15, 1921 -7 Sheets- Sheet 7 Patented Feb. 23, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IIANNING QOLDSMITH, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA INrEnNAL-coMBUsrroN ENGINE.

Application led October 13, 192).. Serial No. A507,433.

V outer piston arranged therein.

The present application is a continuation, in part, of m f copending application, Serial No. 357,906, led February 11, 1920, allowed August 13, 1920 and forfeited.

In the said copendingapplication there is disclosed an engine having a plurality of cylinders disposed eccentrically to the main shaft and adapted to travel through orbits, such movements being caused by their excentric mounting, each of the cylindersbeing provided with inner and outer pistons and valves to control the inlet and exhaust from said cylinders, each 0f said valves being adapted to' control lthe operation of two cylinders. i

The present invention is an improvement over the copending application in the provision of cooling means so arranged that the cooling fluid passes through each of the valves. .r

In the' present invention I further provide a more positive connection between the connecting rods of the inner pistons and the crank shaft to which they are connected.

By providing an engine in which the cylinders are arranged eccentrically of the main shaft an increased efficiency is obtained and smoother running qualities result than from the ordinary type of reciprocating engine.

A reciprocating engine having a connecting" rod of three to ten times the length of the crank causes a considerable loss in eflici' ency due to the angularity'of the connecting rod with the'crank. In the present invention there is no rod of appreciable length C rotating valves.

and the "drive is the` mechanical equivalent` of reciprocatingv parts of unappreciable i. length. A further advantage of the present construction is that complete scavenging 1s effected mechanicallyl with resultant lincreased pressure due to freedom from carbom'zation. The provision of an engine including rotating parts which are effectively counterbalanced. permits the motor to be operated at a considerably higher speed than the ordinary motor which .is conducive to economy of fuel.

As stated, a singlevalve is employed to.

control the operation of a pair of cylinders. The cylinders are arranged in two sets mounted eccentrically of the main shaft and a single, laterally movable valve is adapted to control the inlet and exhaust of the corresponding cylinders of each set. It will be appreciated that this is an important improvement over the ordinaryl type of engine where a pair of valves are employed for each cylinder, as the y number of valves necessary is thus reducedl to one-fourth. The valve admits of adjusment similar to Corliss valve gear as to lap and `lean.

In the present invention the cylinders are arranged radially of the main shaft and preferably in pairs. The cylinder block is secured to an eccentric which is connected tothe main shaft causin movement of each cylinder throughout a circular orbit. This arrangement prodlfces an engine lcf maximum efficiency as it providesa construction wherein the explosions take place with the connecting rod and crank in the most suitable position for driving the shaft .through the connections. The inflow and exhaust of gases from the cylinders are controlled by I One valve is arranged to govern the feed and exhaust from each pair of cylinders. Means are provided for imparting rotary motion to the valves to bring the inlet and exhaust ports into registering position at the proper time and means are provided for laterally shifting. the valves to contiiol the feed and exhaust of two cyll' In the accompanying ldrawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 5 1s a vertlcal sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 3` Figure 6 is a detail view member,

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the valve shifting mechanism,

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the valve casing,

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional -view of a supporting i of the valve casing, v

'ed on a Figure 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 10-10 of Figure 8,

Figure 11 is a similar view on line 11-11 of Figure 8,

Figure 12 is asimilar view on line 12--12 of Figure 8,

Figure 13 is a detail View of one of the connections `for the introduction of the cooling medium,

Figure 14 is a detail view of a connection between the cooling chamber of the valve chest and the cooling chamber. of the motor,

Figures 15 and 15a are dia rammatic illustrations of one cylinder of t e engine showing the four cycles of operation,

Figure 16 is a side elevation of the engine showlng the supporting means, and

Figure 17 (is an end elevation thereof.v

Referring to the draw' gs, the reference numeral 1 designates a sta ionary outer casing havinr supports 2. The engine is mountbase 3 by means of compression springs 4 arranged between the base and the supports 2 and adapted to take up shock due to irregularities in the operation of the engine and other causes.

The main shaft-consists of'two sections 5 and 6 which, as shown, are hollow. The cylinders are preferably cast en bloc and are designated as a whole by the reference numeral 7. Any number of cylinders may be employed. As shown, the engine -consists o twelve cylinders, which are arranged in pairs, forming two sets of s1x cylinders.

The six cylinders of each set are arranged `radially and each cylinder is dis sosed adjacent t`o the corresponding cylin er of the other set. Eccentrics 9 and 10 are mounted in the cylinder block and these two eccentrics are in turn connected to the two sections of the main shaft and revolve with the main shaft. An inner @rank shaft 11 is connected .provided with an inner piston 12 having a connecting rod 13. The inner end of the connecting rod is arranged between a pair v of disks 14 loosely mounted on the inner crank shaft. The connecting rod is secured to the disks or collars 14 by means of pins.

15. It will be apparent that wheny suitable driving ower is rovided the engine cylinders will travel t ough individual orbits,

-I provide internal gears 16 carried bythe eccentrics 9 and 10. These gears may be formed integral with the eccentrics or secured in position by any suitable means. The collars 14 are carried by a sleeve 16 which surrounds the inner crank shaft 'and the endsf'of this sleeve are rovided with pinions 17. A pinion 18 1s mounted on a pin or shaft 19 carrier by the eccentric and this pinion is adapted to mesh with the linternal gear 16 and thel pinion 17. The shaft 11 rotates about the main shaft as an axis, but does not revolve on its own axis. It will be apparent that it it is necessary forv the connecting rods of each cylinder to maintain a definite position, and that the force of the explosion would tend to drive `the sleeve 16 and collars 14 around the shaft11 in the direction in which the force is exerted., However, as the eccentrics and internal gears revolve, pinion 18 is driven, driving the piniony 17 to compensate for the movement of the inner crank shaft and maintain the connecting rods in proper position.

Each of the cylinders is rovided with an outer piston 20. These plstons are connected to outer crank shafts 21 by means of connecting rods 22. As shown, one crank shaftis provided for each pair of cylinders and in a construction embodyingwtwelve cylinders, as shown, six crankshafts are` provided. The outer cra-nk shafts are dri ven from the main shaft at one-half the speed of the main shaft by gearin disclosed in detail in vFigure 4 of the rawings. As shown, -apnion'23 is arranged on main vshaft 6 and this pinion drives a gear 24 and idler Vring gear 25. The gear 25 is provided with internal teeth 26 meshing with gear 24 and external teeth 27. The outer crank shafts are providedwith` pin- -ions 28adapted to mesh with the external teeth of gear 25. The pinions are provided with'the pro er number of teeth to drive the outer cra shafts at one-half the speed of the main shaft so that the main shaft makes two revolutions to each revolution of the outer crank shafts. The outer crank shafts are mounted in suitable bearings formed in the outer casing (not shown) and bearings 29 carried by an annular projection or rib 30 secured to the casing. Each of the outer crank shafts is provided with a pair of off-set portions or cranks 3l and 32 and the connecting rods 22 of a pair of cylinders are connected to these off-set portions. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, the two cranks 4orotf-set portions are arranged at an anglo of 180O to each other.

Means for feeding gas to the cylinders and exhausting the waste gases therefrom are as follows The gas fed from the carburetor or other sourceis connected to hollow shaft 5 and this shaft is provided with openings 33 communicating with `feed chamber 34. A

number of rotary valves 35 are -employed,'

tion with the inlet pipe at all times. A longitudinal port 38 communicates with this reduced portion and conveys the gases to either of the two cylinders. The valve is provided with cut-out portions 39 and 40 communicating with the port 38 and adapted to deliver' gases to the'inlet openings `41 and 42 of the cylinders The cut-out portions communicate with'the inlet openings during a portion of each revolution of the valve. As shown in Figure 9 ofthe drawings, the cut-out portion 40 isin communication with inlet port 4l and cut-out portion 39 is out of communication with inlet port 42 due to lateral shifting of the valve. When the valve is shifted to the4 left the inlet of gases to the cylinder at the right is interrupted and cut-out portion 39 is brought into communication with the inlet 42 of thes'cylinder to the left. A

The valve is also provided with means for exhausting gases from the two cylinders through exhaust ports 43 and 44. These exhaust ports are adapted to communicate' with cut-out'jportions 45 and 46arranged in the valve-and communicating'with a 1ongitudinal port 47. Longitudinal port 47 is in communication with a reduced portion 48 at the end of the /valve and this lreduced portion communicates with an outlet pipe 49. These outlet pipesv communicate with an exhaust chamber 50 surroundingl the main shaft 6. As shown the main shaft is provided with openings 51 which permit the exhaust gases to pass 'into the shaft and vmeshing with gears 55.

through it to a suitable source of disposal. As shown in Figure 9 of the drawings, the cut-out portion 45 is in lateral alinement with the exhaust port 43 and exhaust port 44 and cut-out portion 46 are out of alinement. The valve is adapted to be shifted laterally at each half revolution and is further adapted to revolve at the same 'speed as the main crank shaft.

The means for shifting and driving the valve are shown in detail in Figure 7 of the drawings. A cam 52 is mounted on the main shaft, the cam being provided with a central opening surrounded by a hub 53 `arranged at an angle whereby the cam is` maintained at an inclined position. A. pinion 54' is arranged on the drive shaft adjacent the cam and is adapted to mesh with pinions 55 carried by suitable shafts 56 projecting from the face of the cam. A ring gearf57 issecured to the face of the cam and is provided with, teeth 58 The number of teeth 58 is twice the number of teeth provided on pinion 54 so that the cam is driven at one-half the speed of the drive shaft.

The periphery lof the cam rides in rollers4 '59 on shafts 60 to which the valves are attached. By Vinspection of Figure 3 o f the drawings, it will be seen that the valves are shifted laterally as the cam revolves.

The valve is rotated by the local rotation of theV cylinder block 7. The rods 60 to which thetfrollers 59 are attached are provided with crank portions 61. The mainA portion of these rods are mounted in suitable bearings 62 formed in a plate 63 disposed adjacent the cam. `As shown, this plate is provided with arms 64 adapted to be secured to the casing. The movement of the cylinderblock 7 causes the valve and crank 61 to rotate at the same speed. However, during one-half of each revolution the`cut-out portions of the valve are out of communication` with the inlet and exhaust ports of any group of cylinders and thus the result produced is the same as in the ordinary four cycle engine provided with the rotary valve geared'at onehalf the speed of the main shaft.

The cooling Huid is delivered through the pipe 65 which communicates with one of the valve casings through an opening 66.

This opening lis arranged substantially in the center of the valve longitudinally and the valve is providedwith a reduced portion .67- communicating therewith at all times.

The opening 67 is in communication withv longitudinal port 68 extending through the body ofthe valve and is also in communication with the interior of the cylinder block' through van opening 69. The `water chamber 70 of the cylinder block communicates with each of the valves through opening 69 to deliver the cooling medium thereto.- The outer valve casing is provided with an extension 71 arranged substantially centrally thereof adjacent the reduced portion 67 of the valve body. This extension is provided with an opening communicating with an elbow 72. As shown the lower end of the elbow is provided with a flange 73 having suitable openings for the reception of fastening elements. The elbow 7 2 communicates with a pipe 74 which in turn communicates with a fitting 75. As shown, the litting is provided with parallel end portions connected by a curved central portion 76 I(see Figure 13). The opposite end of this fitting is connected to a pipe 77 which asses through the outer casing. The end) with suitable packing 7 8 retained in place by rpacking nuts 79. The fitting 75 connects the outer section 77 of the pipe with the inner 'section 74 by a swiveled connection permitting the inner end 74 to rotate with the cylinder block while the outer end remains stationary. The inlet' pipe 65 is provided with a similar connection (not shown).

l"The ignition system and follows: Y

Spark plugs 80 are arranged in the inlet chambers 81 of each of the .cylinders and a conductor rin 82 is arranged inthe casing. This ring 1s insulated from the engine parts and cas1ng.`eIt is mounted on supports 83 formed of suitable insulating materialF andv retained in place by pins 84; A spring contact 85 is arranged at suitable intervals on the conductor ring. vEach of control are as the outer cranks carries a contact member 86 in the form of a link connected to the spark plug by a second link 87.. When the crank portion 31 or 32 of the outer crank shaft is in its lowermost position contact member-`A 86 engages` the spring contact 85 lof the conductor rlng to energize the spark plug. The upward movement of the crank portion breaks lthe-connection.

vspecial type of support. As stated, the

The engine is provided with a starting shaft 88 having sprockets 89. The main shaft is provided with sprockets 90 which are connected to the sprockets- 89 by chains 91. To start the engine, shaft 88 is re-- volved by a hand crank, electric self-starter v or other apparatus. The starting shaft may be provided with suitable roller bearings 92 and the main shaft `ma be provided with similar bearings 93. -fly wheel 94 is mounted on the main shaft, the fly wheel being provided with a weight 95.

As hown in Figures 16 and 17 of the drawings, the motor isprovided, with a casing' ig supported from the end beams 3 by springs`4.' Rigidly Isecured to the end" beams are a pair of transverse sup orts 96 forming a skeleton frame' therewlt .The

s of the tting may be provided.

starting shaft is supported in bearings 97 carried by' these transverse beams. When the motor is used in a vehicle and this particular type of mounting `is employed the entire motor is permitted to rock about'the shaft 88. The shaft 88 may be a starting shaft as stated, or a drive shaft, or it ma lserve the functions of both a starting shal t and drive shaft. With such mounting greater flexibility is obtained, and if the throttle valve of the carburetor is suddenly opened the motor will rotate about shaft S8 in a small arc compressing one of the springs '4 and'stretching the other spring. The shocks and jars resultino' from sudden opening of the throttle or -ot er unevenness in running .are taken up by the springs 4 saving wear and tea;` on the moving parts of the motor and 'drive connections to the ginning of the inlet stroke in any given l cylinder the crank portion 31 or 32 is starting' downwardly and the inner connecting rod 13 is moving toward the inner end of the cylinder. During the inlet stroke the inner piston moves to its outermost position and the outer piston moves onehalf this dis-- tance. During the compression stroke the outer piston continues to move outwardly but the inner piston moves inwardly at. twice the speed and through a longer stroke.

This causes compression to take place in the cylinder, the position of the pistons at the .end of the compression stroke being indicated at 98 in Figure 4 of the drawg ings. After the explosion, the inner piston' 12 is moved outwardly by the force 'of the explosion but'the piston 20 continues to; moves inwardly toward the center of the cylinder. vDue to the fact that the 'piston' l2 makes two complete strokes to each stroke f of piston 20 and to the fac/t that the stroke ofthe inner iston is longer," the distance" between the plston increases durin the outlwardstroke of piston 142. The po er stroke is illustrated in subviews 2te 5 of Figure 15. In subview 5 the piston 12 has comp' ted its outward stroke and is beginning teI `move toward the center of the.- cylinder` In the mean time piston 20 has moved onehalf thedistance toward .the center and co'ntinues to move inwardly. Subviews 6, 7;

and 8 illustrate the movement of the istons during .the exhaust-stroke.-

t e iS-ffno ,tons reach their-innermost positio'nsas" compressed gases.

trated in subview 1, Figure 15", the exhaust strokeis completed. It will be noted that although the connecting rods 13 and 17 are in the same position in this figure as in Figure 15, subview 1, the position of the pistons differ.. Duringthe interval that lapses between the-timeI indicated by Figure 15, subview 1, and Figure 15, subview 1, crank shaft 16 has completed one-half of a revolution and the crank portion 31 or 32 has moved from its lowermos't position to its uppermost position changing the position of the outer piston. Subvlews 2 to 5 of Figure 15, illustrate the inlet stroke. During this stroke piston 12 is movin toward the inner end of the cylinder and piston 20 is moving in the opposite direction toward the other end of the cylinder. Subview 5 pistons at the end of the inlet stroke, the piston 12 having moved to its extreme outer position and the piston 15 half way toward its outer position. During the compression stroke piston 12 moves toward the centerof the cylinder and piston 15 continues to move outwardly. Due to the difference of Speed and the difference 0f the stroke of the two pistons the space `between the two pistons decreases, causing compression. When the cycle is completed the two pistons are in the position shown in subview 1 of Figure 15- at the end of the compression stroke and just before the explosion. As the crank shaft 16 has completed one-half a revolution since the end of the exhaust stroke, either crank portion 31 or 32 is in its lowermost position and the pistons are spaced sulciently to allow room for the In the form shown, the cylinder is provided with a pair of conductor rings 82, one for each set of cylinders. Six spring contact clips 85 are provided von each conductor ring, one for each cylinder of each set. `The conductor ring may be rotated byany rotating means `(not shown) to adn vance or retard the spark; The off-set or crank portions 31 or 32 of the outer crank shafts are placed one-sixth of a revolution in advance of the succeeding shafts thus making electrical contact for one cylinder every 60 of a revolution.

During the time that one set of cylinders are exploding charges of the mixture and exhausting the burnt gases as represented in Figure 15 the corresponding cylinders of the other set are on the inlet and compression strokesas illustrated in Figure 15a. This is brought about by lateral shifting of the valves 35. The valves are'so a1'- ranged that they will be shifted at the completion of the inlet stroke to bring theexhaust and inlet ports of the cylinders out of-alinement with the corresponding parts ofthe valve. During the revolution that illustrates the position of the lwith the exhaust port of the cylinder. At

the end of the exhaust stroke the lateral position of the valve remains unchanged but the rotation of the valve brings the exhaust port out of communication with the exhaust outlet. At this time the inlet in the valve communicated with the inlet opening in the cylinder and these two ports remain in communication during the inlet stroke. At the end of the inlet stroke, the valve is again shifted laterally as described.

The cooling medium is delivered to the lower portion of the motor through the pipes 65, flows through the cooling chamber of the cylinder block, and tbe ports 68 of the valves, being delivered toward the top of the motor due to its increase in temperature and passing out through the elbow A size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scopeuof the sub-` joined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An internal combustion engine comprising a main shaft, a plurality of cylinders radially disposed eccentric to said main shaft and connected thereto whereby each of said cylinders travels in .an orbit, an inner and outer piston in each of said cylinders, an inner crank shaft to which said pistons are connected, and a plurality of outer .crank shafts to which said outer pistons are connected.

2. An internal combustion engine comprising a main shaft,'a plurality of cylinders radially disposed eccentric to said shaft and connected thereto whereby each of said cylinders travels in anorbit, an inner and outer piston in each of said cylinders, an inner crankshaft to which said inner pistons are connected, and a plurality of outer crank shafts to which said outer pistons are connected, said outer crank shafts being adapted to revolve at one-half the Speed of the main crank shaft.

3. An internal combustion engine comprising a main shaft, a plurality of radially disposed cylinders eccentric to said shaft and connected thereto whereby each of said cylinders travels in anv orbit, pistons arranged in Isaid cylinders, crank shafts connected to said pistons and to said main shaft, aspark plug in each cylinder, an annular conductor arranged near said cylinder, and spaced vcontacts adapted to be closed by said crank shafts.

4. An internal combustion engine comrising a main shaft, a plurality ofl radially. isposed cylinders arranged in pairs, said cyhnders being eccentric to. said shaft and controlling the inlet and lexhaust of eachA pair of cylinders, and means for shiftin said valve laterallyfsto permit exhaust and inlet to one cylinder and prevent exhaust and inlet to the other cylinder. f Y

- 6. An internal vcombustion engine com-- prising a main shaft, a plurality of radially disposed cylinders eccentrick to said mam shaft, pistons arranged in said cylinders, crank shafts connected to said pistons and to said main shaft, a spark plug ineach of .said cylinders, an .annular conductor arranged near saidcylinder, a contact member carried by said conductor, and a second contact member carried by each of saidi crank shafts adapted to close an electric circuit to energize said spark plugs by the revolution of the crank shaft.

' 7. An internal combustion engine comrising a main shaft, a plurality of radially isposed cylinders said cylinders being eccentricto said shaft'and arranged in pairs, -thev two cylinders forming a pair being ar-` ]'acent each other, a rotary valvev ranged a I controlling the inlet and exhaust of each pair. of-cylinders, anda cam for shifting said valve Ilaterally .to permit inlet and exhaust of (gases from one cylinder and prevent inlet an exhaust of gases from the other cylinder.

8. An internal combustion; ,engine com- 'ising a-main shaft, a plurality of radially 'sposed cylinders eccentric to said mainv shaft, an inner and outer'piston in each ofA said cylinders, an inner crank shaft to which said inner pistons are connected, said shaft bein connected to the main shaftfand revolvmg at the same speed, a plurality of outer crank shafts to which said outer pistons arel connected, said outer crank shafts being connected to the main shaft. by gear- `in and being adapted to revolve at oneha f the speedof'the` main shaft.

9. An internal combustion engine comprising a main shaft, a plurality of radially disposed cylinders eccentric to said main shaft and connected thereto, an Ainner and outer piston in each of said cylinders, an inner crank shaft to which -said inner pistons are connected, said shaft bein connected to the main shaft and revolvlng at the same speed, a plurality of outer shafts to which said outer pistons are connected, said outer shaftsrevolving at one-half the s eed of the maimshaft, and crank portions formed on said outer -shafts to ermit reciprocation of the outer pistons, sai outer pistons bein positioned'at their innermost position at t e end of the exhaust stroke to' effect scavenging. v

10. An internal com-bustlon engine comrising a main shaft, a plurality of radially sposed cylinders eccentric to said main shaft, inner and'outer pistons in eachl of said cylinders, an inner crank shaft t which 's'aid inner pistons Aare connected, a plurality of outer crank shafts to which said outer pistons. are connected, said outer crank shafts being adapted to revolve at one-half the speed of the inner crank shaft, the revolving of the outer crank shafts being adapted to `alter the position of reciprocation of the outer piston,

11.. The combination w1th an engine com- I rising a plurality of radiall disposed c liiiders, a casing, a main sliaft jornaised in said casing and' connected to said cylin-V ders, an auxiliary shaft extending throughv said casing and flexibly connected to said main shaft, of a support therefore compris-y ing a rigid frame, said auxiliary shaft be-l ingmounted in bearings on said frame, and

springs arranged between said frame and said casing.

"12. An internal combustion engine coml-prising a 'main shaft, a pluralityof radially disposed cylinders, said cylinders being eccentric to said shaft and arranged in pairs,

laterally movable valves controllin the inlet and exhaust of said cylinders, eac of said valves being arranged' to control the inlet and exhaust-from two cylinders forming a pair, operating` means for s aidvalves, means for circulating a cooling fluid around said cylinder, and means for passing said cooling iuid through saidwalves.

v In testimony whereof I my signature,v

ammirare GoLDSMTIi; 

